A MASSIVE reorganisation of Cheshire County Council is expected to lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.

Described as 'the most radical shake up of local government ever attempted by an English authority,' Transforming Cheshire will affect all 24,000 full and part time staff currently working for the council.

The proposals have been announced in the face of a £50m funding shortfall over the next four ears but it is hoped a smaller workforce can be created through natural wastage.

The county also faces the problem of falling birth rates and surplus school places coupled with a projected 50,000 increase in the elderly population by 2020.

Staff face an uncertain period as roles change and departments are reorganised within a slimmed down workforce.

And there is a big question-mark over the future of the County Hall building in proposals to be considered by councillors at a special meeting on September 20.

The council's strategy is to streamline their operation - sharing support services where possible with police, fire and health authorities and operating from a smaller headquarters - but moving closer to the public through contact hubs based in all of the county's 'natural communities'.

The proposals are supported by all three political parties.

Council leader Paul Findlow said: 'This is a massive undertaking but the scale of the response is dictated by the size of the challenges facing us.'

'Demand for our services is rapidly increasing and escalating costs are overtaking available resources at an alarming rate. Doing nothing was not an option.'

He said: 'The whole thing is shambolic, uncoordinated and a real worry to us and our members.'

However Labour Group leader Derek Bateman denied that council workers jobs were under threat.

He said: 'We are not signed up to redundancies.

'Make no mistake, there are some difficult decisions ahead. But these are decisions that have to be taken if we are to end up leaner, more responsive and efficient.'

Lib Dem leader Sue Proctor added: 'We have to take action now for the future well being of 680,000 people. There is no way we can simply continue to cut budgets or increase council tax. Other solutions have to be found to what is a national funding dilemma.'

Work is already underway through Transforming Learning Communities and the Extra Care Housing programme to address the demographic problems facing Cheshire.

The latter will initially involve, with the help of government money, the construction of retirement villages on six sites aiming to allow elderly people to live independent lives.

Planning permission has already been granted for a £9m retirement village in Newtown helping a growing older population to remain in the community and out of nursing homes.